Bumper switch for ball rolling games



Feb. 2, 1943. F. w. MoxEY BUMPER SWITCH FOR BALL ROLLING GAMES Filed June 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l film Z/ Feb. 2, 1943. F. w. MoxEY 2,310,163

BUMPER SWITCH FO BALL ROLIVJING GAMES 'f Filed June 29, 1942 2 vSheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES BUMPER SWITCH FOR BALL ROLLING GAMES Fred W. Moxey, Aurora, Ill., assigner to American Molded Products Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 29, 1942, Serial No. 449,004

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to combination bumper and switch devices for use in connection with ball rolling games of the type including a table top, inclined slightly to horizontal, and over which balls are rollable. Devices of this general type are often termed targets or target switches, and are mounted on a table top in position to be encountered by a ball. The switch structure associated with such devices is provided for the purpose of controlling certain electrical circuits which may include electric lamps, recorders and various other types of electrically energized devices or apparatus associated with the game and adapted to be energized incident to.

completion of the circuit by closing of the switch. Such devices are usually provided for the purpose of creating, stimulating and maintaining interest and player appeal in the game.

The present invention is directed to a novel and improved bumper or target switch device, which is constructed to provide novel control of a plurality of electrical circuits for actuating a wide variety of auxiliary devices and apparatus associated with the game.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a novel form of combined bumper and switch device, characterized by the provision of a rockable member, formed and supported in a manner to be engaged by a ball rolling over the surface of the table top of the game apparatus, for selectively completing one of a plurality of electrical circuits, depending upon the point of contact of the rockable member by the ball.

Another object is to provide a novel combination bumper and switch device of the character indicated, including a rockable ball engaging member adapted for completing a predetermined electrical circuit, depending upon the point of Contact of the ball with the rockable member, and wherein the ball engaging surface of said member is of such contour as to permit mounting of the device in various angular positions on the surface of the game board, to vary the element of chance of the ball being caused to travel in a predetermined path over the board.

A further object is to provide a novel device of the character indicated, including a hollow body provided with two separate compartments in which electric lamps may be mounted, and wherein the cover of said body is formed of translucent material for emitting light from the respective compartments and a rockable ball engaging member mounted on the body, together with switch means for selectively energizing electrical circuits including the respective lamps, devpending upon the point or" contact of the rockable member by a ball.

Still another object is to provide an improved devi-ee oi the character indicated, including an elongated body and an elongated rockable member adapted to be engaged by a ball and supported on the upper end of the body for rocking movement at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes, together with switch means operably connected to the member for completing separate electrical circuits, depending upon the direction of rocking movement of said member.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, which is of simplified construction, composed of relatively few parts, durable in use, and capable of being economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following descripy tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the novel combination bumper switch device, embodying the present invention, shown mounted on a portion of a game board;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device with the cover element removed;

Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sectional view through the device, taken substantially as indicated at lines 3 3 and 4 4 respectively on Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing the parts in one operated position of adjustment, incident to actuation by a ball;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section through the device, taken as indicated at line 6-6 on Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the body of the device with all other parts omitted;

Figure 8 is a perspective View of the rockable ball engaging member; and

Figure 9 is a side view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the separator plate for dividing the interior of the body into two compartments.

The device embodying the present invention, and as illustrated in the drawings, includes a hollow body ID, adapted to be rigidly attached to the upper surface of a game board II, by means of two screws I2. The upper marginal portion of the lateral wall of the body is inwardly oilset, as indicated at I4, and over this offset portion there is adapted to be telescoped a depending skirt portion I5 of a cover element I6. As may be seen in the drawings, said body and cover element are of generally oblong form, and, more specifically, are of generally diamond-shaped outline. The purpose of such formation will hereinafter be referred to.

Supported on the upper end of the body is a rockable ball engaging member I8, having a contour similar to the contour of the body. As shown in the drawings, said member I8 is of open for- 60 mation, including a frame I9 surrounding the offset wall portion I4 of the body I0. The frame portion I 9 has its opposite side portions con-` nected by a pair of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced apart webs 20 which extend through slots IIIal and |55, formed respectively in the upper marginal portion I4 of the body IIJ and the depending skirt I of the cover element it. Said webs are adapted to be supported for rocking movement upon, and disposed in vertical alignment with, corresponding webs 2l in the interior of the body IIJ, and, in effect, provide two longitudinally spaced apart rockable supports. When the marginal edge of the frame portion I 9 of the rockable member is engaged by a ball, as indicated at A, said member is caused to tilt laterally about both rockable supports, as seen in Figure of the drawings. It may be understood that the rockable connection or supports for the'member I8 are such that even when the ball engagesv either of the extreme end portions of the frame I 9, said member I8 will be rocked in longitudinal direction about the support at the end opposite that engaged by the ball.

Inforder to cushion the blow of impact of the ball, as indicated at A, in Figure 5 of the drawings, upo-n encounter with the marginal edge of the rocking member I8, there is provided a resilientband 22, seated in a socket 23 formed in the outer wall of the body IIJ, in position to beA impinged by the ball. Said band, in addition to absorbing the impact of the ball, because of its resilient nature, also serves to rebound the ball in a direction away from the device.

The two transverse webs 2I of the body I0 are connected by a central, longitudinally extending, vertical web 26, and the two transverse webs 20 of the rockable member are interconnected by a central vertical web 21, disposed in alignment with the web 2S, and substantially in contact therewith so as to divide the interior of the body I8 into two separate compartments, as indicated at B and C, in which are disposed electric lamps 28 and 29. Said lamps are'carried in sockets 38, extending upwardly through an opening II formed in the game board, and each of said sockets includes a pair of terminal connections 3| and 32, at least one of which is connected to the under side of the board II, as by a nail 33, for supporting the lamp in proper position. The ends of the terminals 3| and 32 are connected by conductor wires 34 and 35 of an electrical circuit.

To complete the formation of the compartments within the body proper and the area enclosed bythe cover, there is provided a removable separator plate 40, which is shouldered for a snug t in the end portions of the body, as seen in Figure 9 of the drawings. Said plate is disposed in vertical alignment with the webs 26 and 2'! of the body and rockable member respectively, with the upper marginal edge thereof disposed in abutting engagement with the under surface of the cover element I6, as seen in Figure 9 of the drawings. It is to be understood that the areas of the `cover element in alignment with the respective compartments B and C is composed of al translucent material. These areas, which are indicated at Iiia and |61, are preferably oi contrasting colors, as indicated in Figure l of the drawings, so as to clearly indicate when the lamps of the respective compartments are illuminated.

The rockable member I8 is normally held in stabilized condition, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, by means of a coil spring 42, which is seated against the under side of an annular body 26a, formed as a part of the web 26. The web 2'I of therockable member includes an elongated, depending boss 21a, extending through the annular body 25a, and carrying a downwardly projecting pin 43, constituting the operating member of the switch structure. rIhe spring 42 is held in position by abutment against a ferrule 44, which is snugly telescoped over the lower end of the projecting body portion 21a.

Said switch operating member 43 extends a substantial distance below the surface of the board in spaced apart relation to two horseshoeshaped terminal ends 4B and 4'1 of switch members i3 and 49 respectively. Said. switch members 48 and 49 are connected by conductor wires 5l) and 5I respectively, into electrical circuits, which may include said lamps 28 and 29, and/or other apparatus or devices which it is desired to energize.

When the ball A engages the marginal edge of the rockable member I8, said member is tilted against the reaction of the coil spring 42, as seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, at which position the lower portion of the switch member 43 is disposed in contact with one of the terminal ends of the switch members i8 and 49, depending upon the direction of rocking movement of said member. A conductor wire 53 is connected to the -switch member 43, for completing the electrical circuits including the respective switch members 48 and 49. When the rocking member I8 is tilted, as indicated in Figure 5, with the switch member 43 in circuit making relation to the terminal portion 41 of switch member 49, it is to be understood that an electrical lcircuit is completed, which may or may not include either of the lamps 28 or 29, or other apparatus, or said lamps together with other apparatus. Other electrical circuits may be completed when the rockable member is tilted inthe opposite relation to that seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, at which posi tion switch member 43 will engage in circuit making relation the terminal portion 446 of the switch member 43.

For simplicity and economy in manufacture, the body I0, together with the cover element I6 and the rockable member I8, are preferably formed of plastic material. InV the use of plastic material it is a simple expedient to utilize sheet material of diierent colors for fabricating the top portion of the cover element I6, in which case the cover element is formed as aframe and the respective portions, as represented by areas I6a and lh, may be composed of colored, translucent sheets, conveniently secured in place in the frame portion of the cover element by a suitable solvent, by virtue of which the parts become integrally connected together as a unitary article.

By forming the body I0 and rockable member I8 of generally diamond-shaped contour, it is possible to vary the mounting of the devices upon the surface of the game board in a manner so as to obtain a relatively wide range of what is termed percentage adjustmen or Variation in the element of chance in causing a ball traveling over the surface of the game board to pursue a predetermined path of movement.

Although I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

L. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes, and having the major portion of its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about both of said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing one of va plurality of electrical circuits incident to rocking movement of Said member in one direction, and for completing another circuit incident to rocking movement in the other direction.

2. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow'elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member roclably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes and having the major portion of its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about both of said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, spring means tending to yieldingly maintain said member at normal inoperative position, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing one of a plurality of electrical circuits incident to rocking movement of said member in one direction, and for completing another circuit incident to rocking movement in the other direction.

3. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body i! having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes, and having the major portion of its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about both of said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing one of a plurality of electrical circuits incident to rocking movement of said member in one direction, and for completing another circuit incident to rocking movement in the other direction, said rockable supports for said member being constructed and arranged to permit endwise rocking of said member about either one of said supports, incident to encounter by a ball adjacent said respective ends.

4. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes and having the major portion of its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about both of said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, a cover element telescopically associated with the upper end of the body for closing said upper end and serving to confine said member in operative relation to the body, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing one of a plurality of electrical circuits incident to rocking movement of said member in one direction and for completing another circuit incident to rocking movement in the other direction.

5. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes and having its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about said rockab-le supports, incident to engagement by a ball, a cover element telescopically associated with the upper end of the body for closing the same and serving to conne said member in operative relation to the body, the top of said cover being formed of translucent material, partitioning means for separating the interior of the device to form two separate compartments in the device for accommodating electric lamps therein, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing electric circuit including one of said lamps, incident to rocking of said member in one direction, and for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to rocking or" said member in the other direction.

6. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes and having its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, a cover element telescopically associated with the upper end of the body for closing the same and serving to conne said member in operative relation to the body, the top of said cover being formed of translucent material, partitioning means for separating the interior of the device to form two separate cornpartments in the device for accommodating electric lamps therein, said translucent top of the cover having two separate areas of diierent colors, dimensioned for registration with the respective compartments, and switch means below the tabletop including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing an electric circuit including one of said c lamps, incident to rocking of said member in one direction, and for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to rocking of said member in the other direction.

7. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, an elongated member rockably supported on the upper end of said body at two longitudinally spaced apart transverse planes and having its marginal edge projecting outside of the wall of the body in position to be encountered by a ball, whereby said member may be rocked laterally to either side about said rockable supports, incident to engagement by a ball, said body and member including vertically aligned longitudinally extending webs, a cover element telescopically associated with the upper end of the body for closing the same and serving to conne said member in operative relation to the body, the top of said cover being formed of translucent material, a removable separator plate seated in the body in alignment with and above said webs and terminated adjacent the inner surface of the cover, said plate and webs serving to form two separate compartments in the device for accommodating electric lamps therein, and switch means below the table top including an operating element connected to said member and adapted for completing an electric circuit including one of said lamps, incident to rocking of said member in one direction, andy for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to rocking of said member in the other direction.

8. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow body having an upwardly extending wall, a member rockably supported on the body for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a marginal portion extending beyond the body in position to be engaged by a ball for eiecting such tilting movement, a cover element including a translucent top connected to the upper end of the body, means for separating the interior of the body into two compartments for accommodating electric lamps therein, and switch means below the table top including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit including one lamp incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

9. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow body having an upwardly extending wall, a member rockably supported on the body for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a marginal portion extending beyond the body in position to be engaged by a ball for eiecting such tilting movement, the external lateral surfaces of said body and member being of generally diamond-shaped outline, a resilient band surrounding the body adjacent said member in a position to be impinged by a ball engaging said member, a cover element including a translucent top connected to the upper end of the body, means for separating the interior of the body into two compartments for accommodating electric lamps therein, and switch means below the table top including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit including one lamp incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

10. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling vgame having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a body having an upwardly extending wall, a member rockably mounted on said body for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions and including a marginal portion extending beyond said body in position to be engaged by a ball for eiecting such tilting movement, and switch means disposed below said table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

l1. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a body having an upwardly extending wall, a member rockably mounted on said body for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions and including a marginal portion extending beyond said body in position to be engaged by a ball for eiecting such tilting movement, the external lateral surfaces of said body and member being of generally diamond-shaped outline, a resilient band surrounding the body adjacent said member in position to be impinged by a ball engaging said member, and switch means disposed below said table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

l2. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and overl which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a body having an upwardly extending wall, a member rockably mounted on said body for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions and including a marginalv portion extending beyond said body in position to be engaged by a ball for effecting such tilting movement, the external lateral surfaces of said body and member being of generally diamond` shaped outline, a resilient band surrounding the body adjacent said member in position to be impinged by a ball engaging said member, said rockable mounting for said member being constructed and arranged to permit endwise tilting of said member in endwise direction incident to engagement by a ball adjacent the opposite end of said member, and switch means disposed below said table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

i3. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart web members connecting opposite walls of said body, an elongated member rockably supported on said webs for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a frame surrounding the body in spaced relation, in position to be engaged by a ball for effecting such tilting movement, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart webs connecting opposite sides of the frame, seated upon and dispose-d in alignment with the webs of said body, the contacting surfaces of said pairs of webs being formed to permit lateral rocking of the member in two opposite directions, a cover element adapted to be telescopically connected to the upper end of the body for closing the upper end of the body and serving to confine the member in operative relation to the body, spring means acting on the member tending to yieldingly maintain it in stable inoperative position, and switch means below the table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit when said member is tilted in one lateral direction and for completing another electric circuit when said member is tilted in the other direction.

14. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the tabl-e top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, a pair of iongitudinally spaced apart web members connecting opposite walls of said body, an elongated member rockably supported on said webs for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a frame surrounding the body in spaced relation, in position to be engaged by a ball for eiecting such tilting movement, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart webs connecting opposite sides of the frame, seat-ed upon and disposed in alignment with the webs of said body, the contacting surfaces of said pairs of webs being formed to permit lateral rocking of the member in two opposite directions, a cover element adapted to be telescopically connected to the upper end of the body for closing the upper end of the body and serving to confine the memb-er in operative relation to the body, the upper marginal edge of the wall of said body and the lower marginal edge of the cover element being notched to accommodate the webs of said member and permit free tilting movement thereof, spring means acting on the member tending to yieldingly maintain it in stable inoperative position, and switch means below the table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit when said member is tilted in one lateral direction and for completing another electric circuit when said member is tilted in the other direction.

15. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow' elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart web members ccnnecting opposite Walls 0f said body, an elongated member rockably supported on said webs for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a frame surrounding the body in spaced relation, in position to be engaged by aball for effecting such tilting movement, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart webs connecting opposite sides of the frame, seated upon and disposed in alignment with the webs of said body, the contacting surfaces ci? said pairs of webs being formed to permit lateral rocking of the member in two opposite directions, a cover element adapted to be telescopically connected to the upper end of the body for closing the upper end of the body and serving to conne the member in operative relation to the body, said body and frame having centrally disposed vertically aligned, longitudinally extending webs connected to their respective pairs of spaced apart webs, a longitudinally extending separator plate seated in the upper end of the body in alignment with the longitudinal webs, said longitudinal webs and plate serving to form two separate compartments in the body for accommodating electric lamps therein, and switch means below the table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit including one of said lamps incident to tilting of said member in one direction and for completing another electric circuit including the other lamp incident to tilting of said member in the other direction.

16. A bumper switch device for use with a ball rolling game having a table top inclined slightly to horizontal and over which a ball is adapted to roll, said device being mounted upon the table top and including a hollow elongated body having an upwardly extending wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart web members connecting opposite walls of said body, an elongated member rockably supported on said webs for tilting movement in either of two lateral directions, and including a frame surrounding the body in spaced relation, in position to be engaged by a ball for effecting such tilting movement, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart webs connecting opposite sides of the frame, seated upon and disposed in alignment with the webs of said body, the contacting surfaces of said pairs of webs being formed to permit lateral rocking of the member in two opposite directions, and endwise tilting of said member about one rockable connection incident to engagement by a ball of the opposite end portion of the frame of said member, a cover element adapted to be telescopically connected to the upper end of the body for closing the upper end of the body and serving to coniine the member in operative relation to the body, spring means acting on the member tending to yieldingly maintain it in stable inoperative position, and switch means below the table top and including an operating connection to said member for completing an electric circuit when said member is tilted in one lateral direction and for completing another electric circuit when said member is tilted in the other direction.

FRED W. MOXEY. 

